Nothing Lost

Posted on July 16, 2018 by For Glory Sake!

I was recently in a scary head-on collision, in the rain. Traveling down a 2 lane highway… suddenly a truck turned toward me and into my car! Seconds to swerve GOD in His mercy, carried me and 2 of my kids through safely.

“God’s love is meteoric, His loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, His verdicts oceanic. Yet in His largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks.” ‭‭ Psalm‬ ‭36:5-6‬ ‭MSG‬‬

I trust Him for the “bigger plan” whatever the day holds. Pre-wrecks and post-wrecks, He is GOD and there is no other (Deut 4:35). He holds us damaged or whole. 

Nothing surprises Him and He ALWAYS has a plan for my good. Today is useful, tomorrow is useful. I am a tool (2 Timothy 2:21) in the hand of a Big God who has Big Ideas. Life’s an adventure with Him!

Never fear, your GOD is here. Closer than breathe, stronger than any elements. He is: “Big enough, beautiful enough, bold enough, brilliant enough, brave enough, otherworldly enough, someone finally good enough to rescue us from our self-obsession and sweep us up into a love worth dying for.” – Beth Moore

This the surpassing value of knowing Jesus as my Lord (Philippians 3:7-8)

ForGlorySake! – Anna

Thankful!

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Macros and Me

Posted on July 8, 2018 by For Glory Sake!

A year ago our chemical-engineering son explained counting macros to me. Since then I’ve been playing around and adjusting percentages, looking for the perfect balance. I’ve given each trial about 5 months. It’s sorta like working a puzzle.

Everyone alive eats macros. They are what make up our food: fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. We consume them daily in various amounts, usually according to what our area of the world has to offer. Oftentimes, like in the US so much is available – taste becomes king.

In my macro-adjustment-journey, I’ve tried reducing and increasing one group over another, looking for what makes my body run best. My goals (at 51) are:

  1. mental clarity,
  2. energy,
  3. sleep well,
  4. keep bone density,
  5. flexibility
  6. no weight gain
  7. bonus: see muscle definition

I’ve tried high carb/low fat. I’ve also done high protein and moderate carb. This balancing act has lead me to KETO, best known for its high fat (70%), mid protein (25%) and low carb-load (5%). Now on a 30 day trial, like other programs – it’s interesting.

I’ve learned a lot about fats: they are essential for our brains and should be balanced between animal and plants. Great utube videos by a Dr. Berg along with many articles available online.  My carbs are like gold! I spend those daily 25 grams with care, they come almost exclusively from veggies and berries. Of course no sugar -in any form.

Great recipes, “intermittent fasting,” plenty of calories allotted, and lots of so called “cell repair” happening. I’d say, so far – so good.

 I’ll keep you posted

 ForGlorySake! –Anna

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Prayer List

Posted on July 5, 2018 by For Glory Sake!
  • A family apart for the birth of their 1st child – deployment for a year?!
  • A young teen boy and his fearful over-protective mother 
  • A neighbor with a small child facing a dramatic move across the world
  • 2 young men trying to guide a group of teenage boys on the “narrow path.”
  • A young woman launching into ministry- needing support.
  • Bills,
  • deadlines,
  • decisions,
  • new jobs,
  • so many hopes…

These all seem overwhelming to me but never to GOD. He says bring them here – lay them down. I didn’t create you to carry that, but to pray earnestly and let ME “worry” about them.

Oh the Peace… and with it JOY. HE holds them, HE holds me, HE has a bigger plan and I can trust it fully, totally.

 Thank You, for the privilege to pray.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

consider the lilies…
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Spirit Wind

Posted on July 4, 2018 by For Glory Sake!

How I missed the cool ocean breeze on my face this morning! The hill I ran up seemed longer and more difficult than a few weeks ago. Home from vacation, feeling the reality of Georgia humidity.

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” -Jesus. ‭‭John‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What a difference wind makes in the heat. A delicious little refreshment as the sun is beating down. Like the Spirit God sent as our daily companion through life. Up hill and down, He’s there to encourage, strengthen, enlighten – refresh.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”‭‭ -Jesus. John 14:26 ESV

I’ve heard it said we do not receive more of God’s Spirit, yett as we “die to ourselves,” there is more space for Him to move around. Possibly, we are able to hear Him more clearly speaking… something to think on.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.” -Jesus. John‬ ‭16:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Rushing wind blow through this temple, blowing out the dust within, come and breathe Your breathe upon me, I’ve been born-again.” – Keith Greene

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” -Jesus. Luke‬ ‭11:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬
        
ForGlorySake! –Anna

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Time to Pray

Posted on June 24, 2018 by For Glory Sake!

I love vacation! It always gives me more time to reflect and pray. Sitting in the early morning with coffee and journal asking God, “What do You see about -this? How can I pray better for them?”

Time to wait and listen is key.

PRAYER ALWAYS CHANGES  THINGS! It changes me – it changes those I pray for – it changes circumstances or sometimes the way I see them. With God, I am never abandoned, never alone, never hopeless about life. Prayer is my weapon – these moments are my tools.

Covering my family in God’s Armor (Ephesians 6:11-17) is the one of my first prayers each day. I want us all prepared as we go out into the world to do all that’s presented. I pray for ears to hear and eyes to see all that God desires. I pray hearts will be soft and aware of any: Warning any Danger. That we would be prompted to: Stop and pray.

This month I’m spending some extra time praying for my husband. Using a schedule of topics by Stormie Ormartian, from her book Power of a Praying Wife. What a blessing to focus on him and lift up his needs. See list here.

Besides watching over those I love… not once in 30 years of asking God for direction or for help to change my heart… has He’s not done it! God has heard, He’s seen, and He’s moved in each instance. And just for the record… I ask often.

Thank You LORD, for the gift of prayer – any time, any place – silent or shouting – happy or sad – directly to You. How amazing!

ForGlorySake! –Anna

covered
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Reconstruction

Posted on June 12, 2018 by For Glory Sake!

I’m watching a great lesson play out. Day after day on the island we love to visit, renewal is taking place. Destruction from hurricane Irma lies everywhere, but piece by piece homes are being cleaned up and put back together, walls fortified, new roofs attached.

Hardier, sturdier. Concrete construction… All with the hope that they will stand through the next storm. The stronger homes have remained. Those without solid foundation are barely recognizable.

So much like our God-stories. The ideas we had of Him as children became our spiritual foundation. Life experience and truths learned built walls. Trust in His word formed the roof... and when storms battered the structure, we found out quickly if it stood or fell.

No matter what, it’s never too late to rebuild – shore-up – rebuild – or redo! We are never too old or too broken for a fresh view of God. His Word and His Spirit offer every tool needed to begin. And a total reliance on all that Jesus paid for our sagging shack is the firmest foundation yet!

Right here, right now, work can begin. Bit by bit, stone by stone. Speed of progress  depends on willingness to submit to the Original Architect. Time consuming? Probably. Painful? Likely. Worth it? Absolutely!

“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled builder I laid a foundation…” 1 Cor. 3:10

ForGlorySake! –Anna

beautiful old wall
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Worried?

Posted on June 6, 2018 by For Glory Sake!


Worry can come on so quickly! Creep up in the night. Fog the brain. Color the day. Sometimes there seems no rhyme or reason why today brought a terrible wrestling with trust and a battle of the will.

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are NEVER EVEN SEEN—don’t you think He’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you?” Matthew 6:30-33

Yet, Jesus said simple wildflowers are there to remind us… like small interruptions and tiny surprises in our path… “Look, GOD‘s near. He cares.”

“What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving.”

Stop. Listen. Notice. Believe. Because He can be trusted. Then wait and see.
 “People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works.” 

I think GOD longs to show us His Glory! I think He waits for the opportunity to have our full attention. I think He’s thrilled when we truly and humbly want to know more of Him and about Him.

“Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out.” 

It won’t be such a big hairy deal just because you don’t have all the answers, or even a strategy for working it out. 

You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” 

There’s rest… and peace… and trust in the midst.

 ForGlorySake! –Anna

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So Very Personal

Posted on June 3, 2018 by For Glory Sake!

I feel GOD. I see Him. I hear Him. Daily. How? I think it’s because I’m looking for Him… expecting, waiting. And maybe it’s because I’m more about emotions and senses -not as big on factual evidence. Whatever it is, I take it as a gift.

My husband is so opposite. Very factual and analytical. He’s the thinker, skeptic, tester. Sometimes he doubts. I live with joyful confidence. We balance each other. He needs my childlike, (sometimes blind) faith and I need his cautious wisdom!

Either way GOD makes Himself known to each of us and I find that quite amazing. GOD knows how to reach the skeptic and the waiting. He uses us in each other’s life. He is so very personal and forever able. 

That brings me peace when I talk with or pray for others. GOD knows them, in their deepest parts. He will use my words and actions in their life for His Glory! In this fact, you can borrow my faith.

When we offer ourselves for His purposes, He will not waste the opportunity. Wait and see. Anticipate the adventure. Admire the differences around you. Know that GOD is personally active and aware of  Y O U!

ForGlorySake! –Anna

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Copies

Posted on May 30, 2018 by For Glory Sake!

Recently I started making copies of my art pieces for other people. I could not bare to part with the originals, so using those as a template I made duplicates. I’m actually a copy-cat to begin with! I see a painting I love and then I try to paint it. This is how I’m learning.

As hard as I try, nothing is ever exact. For one thing, I don’t know the materials or mediums that were used by the artist. Also, without any formal training, I probably won’t do things in a correct manner, but I have fun anyway. 

It’s become an example to me of how God, the Ultimate Creator never makes copies of anything! His abilities are so amazing, He actually thinks up creations that have never been thought of before. Always unique, I love seeing His variations in animals, flowers, trees, sky-art, insects and people! Even His gifts to us through the Spirit amaze me. 

I love God’s artistry! I love being the only me and my family being the only them. He is the Master inventor. Each of us created to fulfill a one-of-a-kind role, in the Body, for His Glory. I don’t understand how He’s doing it or how it all works – but He’s growing us together into a temple for Himself. What a purpose, what a plan.

“God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what He is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now He’s using you,  fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a Holy Temple built by God, all of us built into it, a Temple in which God is quite at home.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:19-22‬ ‭MSG‬‬

 ❤️❤️❤️

ForGlorySake-Anna

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Just Like That

Posted on May 19, 2018 by For Glory Sake!

Just like that, it’s happened again. Before I could fully grasp it, another of these babies God gave us has become an adult! 18, out of school and off to college. It’s our 4th born this time headed toward the diploma ceremony -in less than a week.

Because we share a car, I’ve had the rare and wonderful opportunity of driving our last 2 to school every day this year. I watch as they walk into high school each morning. Sometimes I snap a photo. These are treasures and reminders to me of how time flies.

Precious moments that have run into years, leave me marveling. I am so very thankful for the people my kids have become.  All strong-minded men and women who know where they come from and that God loves them.

Far from complete, in many ways the journey is just beginning. David and I, both 51 are still being changed by our children’s challenges as they mature. We feel so honored to be a part of their lives. It’s a gift.

Every victory, every struggle, every heartache, and every prayer over them has been worth it… ALL of it! God has made something beautiful through family. It’s a reflection of His relationship with us and such a JOY to be a part of.


ForGlorySake!-Anna

Congratulations Rebekah!
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